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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Voicemail from GP surgery

209 replies

cherrysthename · 09/02/2022 18:19

Basically my AIBU is AIBU to be scared shitless. I had a missed call at the end of the day and then a voicemail quickly followed. It was the GP receptionist saying 'nothing to be worried about, but can you please make an appointment from 8am when we open in the morning?'
I note that she said nothing to worry about, but she would say that wouldn't she? I've not been to the doctors recently, not had any bloods taken to have results back from...nothing I can think of!

OP posts:
NEUserNamesNotTakenJeez · 09/02/2022 19:49

Whether you worry or not, it is what it is for the moment. You might lose a night of sleep on something as simple as a minor admin issue or you could sleep soundly and it could be something important... Yet the sleep will have done you good.
Seeing as you can't think of anything it might be, not expecting any results back etc, I can't see what it could possibly be that would be bad, my only thought atm is maybe an ex partner has been to a gum clinic and he mentioned you if he had unprotected sex... But I don't know how it works and that's the only reason I can think of for a call out of the blue.... Hopefully this doesn't worry you, it's literally me clutching at straws for some possible reasoning. You won't find out until morning anyway so other than being frustratedly curious, just take it with a pinch of salt then act when you know what it's about. None of us know so don't let it nip at you too much, although I'm the same, I need to know things too so know it's annoying for you 🤗

NEUserNamesNotTakenJeez · 09/02/2022 19:51

Actually, having seen ReefRays comment, that's probably what it is! Just don't over think anything to lose sleep over it.

TroysMammy · 09/02/2022 19:51

Sometimes when doing scripts I notice of someone on certain meds hasn't had a medication review, blood test, blood pressure check for a while and would bring it to the GP's attention who may say ring the patient and book in for a whatever. For confidentiality reasons we wouldn't leave the reason on a voicemail just a nothing to worry about but please ring the surgery and ask for x.

CornishTiger · 09/02/2022 19:54

Do you have online access via practice website?

OrangeShark27 · 09/02/2022 20:03

If you haven't had any tests or scans recently it literally can't be anything to worry about.

It will either be something like a smear or a covid vaccine, a blood test for medication your on. Perhaps something from the hospital. But they cant find anything abnormal if they haven't seen you, haven't taken any tests or scans

Original poster
cherrysthename · 09/02/2022 20:04

Thanks again all. I'm taking on board all the logical reasons given.

HangOnToYourself that's the very reason I was worried. I'm fine getting a call back for bloods, X-rays etc because they do need to go through the results. But this seemingly out of nowhere- I don't like it.

But I'm glad there are so many things it could be which don't involve 'sorry Cherry we've suddenly happened to look through your last set of bloods from yonks ago and it seems we need to amputate all your limbs urgently'/insert other catastrophe.

OP posts:
itsfreeeeeeezing1234 · 09/02/2022 20:08

It'll be fine xx

HangOnToYourself · 09/02/2022 20:13

@cherrysthename

Thanks again all. I'm taking on board all the logical reasons given.

HangOnToYourself that's the very reason I was worried. I'm fine getting a call back for bloods, X-rays etc because they do need to go through the results. But this seemingly out of nowhere- I don't like it.

But I'm glad there are so many things it could be which don't involve 'sorry Cherry we've suddenly happened to look through your last set of bloods from yonks ago and it seems we need to amputate all your limbs urgently'/insert other catastrophe.

Yes that's what I'm getting at if they haven't tested you for anything they cant possibly have anything to tell you about your health so it wont be anything to worry over
Stroopwaffle5000 · 09/02/2022 22:32

It wouldn't have even crossed my mind to be worried tbh

Jagley · 09/02/2022 22:40

Another one chiming in to say if you haven't had any recent blood tests etc... there's nothing to worry about, it'll just be something like flu jab/smear/contraception. If it was urgent someone would still contact you out of hours. I had a g.p. Knocking my door at 3am once to tell me to go to the hospital as my blood results had come back with results indicating I needed urgent treatment.

Original poster
cherrysthename · 10/02/2022 08:21

It was....to book for me in for a smear test. God I feel like such a (relieved) idiot. Usually they would just text.
I've been having health problems going back to over a year which haven't been resolved yet (hence still waiting on referral app). I wasn't a wimp before any of this.

OP posts:
Wherehasthecommonsensegone · 10/02/2022 08:31

Had the exact same from mine, when I spoke to them it was also for a Smear. There must be a real push for them at the moment as usually never hear from them.

Glad it was all fine

HaveringWavering · 10/02/2022 08:39

Did you tell them it had freaked you out?
Why in earth did they say you had to call at 8 am the next day? Surely if they had just called to say that it was for a routine matter and to make an appointment within the next week or so, that would have achieved what they needed without scaring the shit out of you?

Original poster
cherrysthename · 10/02/2022 08:59

I did say oh my gosh the message had me worried as I'd assumed the appointment I was told to make was with a GP. The way it was worded didn't indicate they were simply inviting me for an optional service.
Just more relieved than anything. I've booked in for one the week the schools go back. I don't think I need one, I'm not having any symptoms but I'll have it done anyway. I feel a bit annoyed though.

OP posts:
TheYearOfSmallThings · 10/02/2022 10:12

There must be a real push for them at the moment as usually never hear from them.

They have the time to pursue these targets now that they are no longer running ordinary clinics as they used to.

Glad they could reassure you OP!

melj1213 · 10/02/2022 11:20

I wonder if there has been a push from the NHS to get GPs to get back on top of routine clinics like smears/flu jabs etc now that the covid restrictions are being lifted? Or perhaps now that most covid jabs have been done they can now redeploy their staff back to dealing with normal clinic duties so they're chasing up anything routine that was overdue/delayed due to covid?

I didn't get a phone call but I had about 4 letters in 2 weeks about my smear being due, I was texted to book my annual blood test (was due during the time when there was was country wide shortage of blood vials and because it was just general monitoring of a chronic condition it wasn't classed as urgent) and I kept getting periodic texts to book my flu jab but I was dealing with other medical issues (had an operation cancelled last minute as they discovered I was dangerously anaemic and I was busy booking iron infusions and blood tests so a smear wasn't top priority) and couldn't be bothered with the "Call at 8am and wait 40 mins in a queue of 100+ people waiting while listening to awful hold music" just to make a non-urgent appointment after spending days doing exactly that for actually important appointments.

A couple of weeks later once the anaemia was treated I called up to book in my routine follow up blood test and while i was on the line the receptionist said "Oh, while I'm looking at your file it seems like you're also over due for your flu jab, annual blood test and smear test so let's get them all booked in now to save you calling again"

milkyaqua · 10/02/2022 11:30

I don't think I need one, I'm not having any symptoms but I'll have it done anyway.

Say what? You don't wait for symptoms to have a smear test!

ApricotPeony · 10/02/2022 11:36

There's nothing to be annoyed about. It's good they asked you to make an appointment. Ours phone if you ignore the letter inviting you to book it. They can't say what it's for on the phone for privacy reasons

Original poster
cherrysthename · 10/02/2022 12:06

Some women choose not to have cervical screening and that's fine because there are valid reasons as to why, milkyaqua. However if they have symptoms then they make an appointment like you would with any other health concern.

I've refused countless times which is why I'm annoyed. I can't make choices about my own body and be respected. Oh well I've submitted now since they've resorted to scare tactics. I feel like I'm complying so no more scary voice mails when I'm already dealing with chronic pain.

OP posts:
milkyaqua · 10/02/2022 12:10

What symptoms would you even know to look out for? The whole point of screening is to locate early signs. Your choice, obviously, but I would think by the time there were 'symptoms' any cervical cancer/changes would be advanced.

RuthW · 10/02/2022 12:18

Then it's nothing to worry about. You are probably overdue something or it's an admin query.

RuthW · 10/02/2022 12:19

@cherrysthename

Thanks all. The thing is, I doubt it's to do with the Covid booster because they send texts about that and then it's down to me to arrange. With cervical sweeps, I've had a nurse ring in the past to ask if I'd like one or had a letter. I've never been outright asked to make a GP appointment for one as the onus is on me to book myself in for one. Which is why I'm left worrying. I really can't think what it could be. Would a GP just happen to go though my notes one day to see if I'm on any meds currently and if not, ask the receptionist to book me with a vague message? I've got on ongoing pain problem but was referred to the hospital ages ago. Since that referral I've corresponded directly with them (I still haven't had the appointment- they've had to rearrange a couple of times due to Covid). Argh
Yes they would go through your notes. It's the end of the year and some check need to be made before then.
GinIronic · 10/02/2022 12:25

Called it. The time and energy being spent on an optional screening test is amazing. Did the person booking your appointment discuss risks v benefits with you to enable an informed decision?

AppleTree16 · 10/02/2022 12:31

@milkyaqua this completely! The vast amounts of cervical cancer are picked up by smears when people don’t have any symptoms!

7eleven · 10/02/2022 12:31

OP maybe instead of feeling huffy and puffy you could be grateful your surgery is proactive enough to book you in for a potentially life saving screening test. Gosh. Some people are just never happy Confused

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